Real estate team breaks from large corporation
Who doesn’t know the story about David grabbing a single stone from his pouch, placing it in his sling and letting it fly at the giant Goliath?
What you didn’t know is that today, Goliath has transformed into huge, real estate conglomerates who market on a broad scale to buyers and sellers.
David Sirsi, a Realtor and Broker, and his wife, Bonnie, are a power couple, who followed their own dream to serve clients.
Miki Garcia: Why did you and Bonnie leave the hallowed halls of a large real estate company?
Dave Sirsi: Conventional real estate is rapidly being defined through the larger corporate real estate companies and the smaller, locally owned firms. Of course, corporate real estate views transactions from broader need than the local firms. Both of these entities offer specific advantages and disadvantages based on the sellers’ paradigm of desired needs.
However, in the current marketing environment where internet interface is significant and automatic upon listing a home with a member of MLS, 87 percent of all buyers (according to the National Association of Realtors) search the internet initially for property.
There really is not a distinct advantage on behalf of the corporate company. The ancillary services provided by national, state and local Associations have leveled the playing field in all aspects of the real estate transaction. The most important aspect of any real estate transaction is the relationship between the Realtor and the client.
At Sirsi and Company Real Estate, it is our vision to provide “personalized” service to each and every client using all the tools that are available to us to meet their specific needs.
Miki: Was it challenging starting your own real estate agency?
Dave: When your dreams are larger than your obstacles, you will overcome your obstacles to achieve your dreams and goals. The result is every challenge has a solution with loads of opportunities.
Miki: What does Sirsi and Company offer a client?
Dave: We have more than 40 years of real estate experience, a contractor’s license and a master’s (MPA) in local, state and federal government. Our “team” of agents and other professionals are qualified to provide clients assistance in residential properties to include resale, custom fine homes, new construction and built-to-suit contracts, relocation, income/investment properties and lot sales.
Miki: A husband and wife sometimes disagree. Who gets the final word?
Bonnie: We have worked together since we were married in 1984. If Dave wants the last word, he can have it. I tell him, “So fire me.” If he does, I’ll be on the golf course.
Dave: My friend, partner and wife is the “glue.” For 22 years, Bonnie has been a licensed Realtor and has personally served as my administrative assistant/transaction co-coordinator. She has been instrumental in forming two separate Real Estate companies and currently acts as the CEO/CFO for not only Sirsi and Company Real Estate, Inc. but also for our other companies of The Joshua Group LLC.
She manages my personal files while providing oversight for all of our operations. Her knowledge is unquestionable and she is always there, not only for me, but for each of our associates, providing support in every aspect of business and personal life. There is always time for “you” with Bonnie.
Miki: What is really going on in the Folsom and El Dorado Hills’ real estate markets?
Dave: Keeping in mind that real estate today has to be viewed from zip codes to specific neighborhoods, it appears that both markets have moved to a buyer’s market. The average inventory compared to “pending sales” and “active listings” indicates 6.57 months worth of inventory.
Currently, there are 438 active listings in El Dorado Hills and 444 in Folsom, while the 30-day pending sales are 70 and 64, respectively.
What sellers and buyers are really looking for is what is happening to home values. The MLS indicates that pending sales versus “sold homes” show approximately a 3 percent decrease in values in El Dorado Hills, while Folsom is at about 11 percent based on 120 comparables.
The reason I use pending sales and sold homes is the statistics negate active listings which may be overpriced for the market. I scrutinize the same data utilized by appraisers.
Miki: What is important for a buyer or seller to know before picking a company to represent them?
Dave: What they should be looking for in a Realtor is knowledge, someone they can relate to easily and whom they can have absolute faith in their integrity, responsibility and service. For example, I could be the sharpest knife in the drawer and the best apple on the tree but if we don’t relate, I will not be able to provide you the services you desire.
Miki: Why do you live in Folsom?
Bonnie: We love the small town feeling of Folsom. Its parkways, lake, golf courses and central location to other cities are phenomenal.
Miki: If you went to “Realtor Heaven” tomorrow, how would you like your clients to remember you?
Dave: I promised my father when he died that through this company and my personal life…I will leave a legacy of servitude, love and change. I would like my clients to say that no matter what the end result was for Dave, he did right by me.
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